Physics and Botany teacher Steve Woolley is the assistant coach for Taylorsville High Softball team, under the supervision of Coach Hymas. His favorite part of assistant coaching is the relationship he’s made with the athletes, and “seeing them grow into better people and players.”

Woolleys friendship with coach Hymas is how he ended up helping with softball. “Great friends are made through sharing experiences that are both good and bad. State championships in baseball and second place finishes are some great examples,” sais Woolley. “Laughing and crying together.”

Coaching takes time away from family. “Family must be understanding, which mine is,” said Woolley. “They know how much I love [helping with softball]. You need to make sure the time you spend together is quality time.”

He has been involved with sports all of his life. “I have played all the different sports from badminton to football.  From basketball to baseball. Even bowling and darts. I mean my favorite channel is ESPN. I’ll watch anything that has to do with competition,” said Woolley. “Baseball is my passion. I played 3 year here at Taylorsville won 2 state championships and finished 2nd the other year. I started as a junior and senior. I continued playing in college at CEU located in Price , Utah.”

Coaching here at Taylorsville isn’t new for him. “I coached at Taylorsville High School for 12 years. We won two state championships during that time and finished second place twice. My favorite memories have been seeing all the players pile on each other after winning the state titles.  Well, I should say that used to be my favorite,” he said.

Coaches put a lot of importance to their players grades. “Academics are something you have to watch very closely or some players get to far behind and are capable of the amount of work to catch up,” said Woolley. “Bringing home work on road trips and early morning study halls are important.”

Most everyone has something or someone who motivates them. “My motivation comes from being successful, improving, seeing my players improve,” said Woolley. “Winning is nice but I try to concentrate on the process not the results.  Baseball is game of failure, if you get caught up in results you lose your focus on what is really important and that’s improving, learning the game, and making friends.”

I currently coach my twelve year old, which I’ve done for about 6 years.  I can’t see myself doing anything other then coaching or being around the game in some capacity.  We’ll see what happens in the future. Now [my motivation] is seeing my boys have success. Watching my 12 year old Eli out on the mound and striking out the side to save a ball game.  Or watching my 8 year old Isaac hit the ball to the fence with runners on base and scoring the winning run. Watching them face adversity and overcoming it is one of the most rewarding things I think.”

Woolleys role models have been the people that he’s coached over the years. “Especially Coach Cramblitt, he has been a person whom I’ve looked up to and try and be like on and off the field. I’ve had great experiences with my coaches as well. I’ve been very lucky to have the very best coaches.

“Motivation comes from within. You have to believe you can do it if you stick to the process.”